V-Flyer

I noticed today that a PC component I want to get is available for considerably less than in the UK , however once California sales tax is added it's not such a bargain .

Is there any way of avoiding Ca. sales tax, or reclaiming it at the airport etc???

Thanks!

AFAIK you cannot reclaim US sales tax - something to do with the fact that the tax is set by the individual state so everyone has to pay - Louisiana is one exception as they allow foreigners to reclaim tax.

Another way round this is to go to a tax-free state - IIRC Delaware and New Hampshire do not charge sales tax on anything.

Tinkerbelle wrote:Another way round this is to go to a tax-free state - IIRC Delaware and New Hampshire do not charge sales tax on anything.

Nor do Alaska, Montana and Oregon. When we were in Oregon in the summer it was very pleasant to find the price on the goods was the price charged at the till.

Paul

I think even the Canadians have stopped (or at least severly restricted by imposing high minimum spends) the refunds of GST.

Is the item available on Amazon? You could order it from there and have it delivered to your hotel (have done thisseveral times with no problems - just need to remember to order earlier to allow for slower postal syatem in the US). Some states have yet to impose taxes on internet ordered items. IIRC any taxes due appear on the checkout screen before you pay so you can check if its still a value buy or not.

tontybear wrote:I think even the Canadians have stopped (or at least severly restricted by imposing high minimum spends) the refunds of GST.

Is the item available on Amazon? You could order it from there and have it delivered to your hotel (have done thisseveral times with no problems - just need to remember to order earlier to allow for slower postal syatem in the US). Some states have yet to impose taxes on internet ordered items. IIRC any taxes due appear on the checkout screen before you pay so you can check if its still a value buy or not.

Good suggestion, and yes you're right - it's available on Amazon and doesn't appear to attract any sales tax when you get to the final part of the check-out/final total price. Of course whether they'd ACTUALLY deliver to a hotel is a different matter.....

Just choose a delivery method that has a tracking number (FedEx or UPS) and then have it sent to the hotel. I tend to call the hotel and let them know I will be expecting a package so that they will be sure to sign for it and hold it for me.

But the above advice is correct. Ordering items from the internet will save you the sale tax amount, unless they vendor has a physical store in the state (like Best Buy, etc.) as they will then be required to charge you sales tax even if you order online.

Check first with the hotel as some have got wise to this and use it as an additional revenue stream.

Never had a problem with having stuff delivered to hotels with Amazon. They are also OK with using UK credit card for delivery to US addresses.

I send hotel an email saying I will be having stuff delivered just to pre warn.

When I put my address in I add 'guest' and the dates as part of my name or the address.

Just checked my order history - was charged sales tax for stuff delivered to my NYC hotel but NOT for CA